The baccalaureate program in social work is a professional degree program preparing students for beginning-level social work practice upon graduation. The focus for practice includes work with special populations, including the poor, the oppressed, and other at-risk groups. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. It stresses research-based instruction, individualized work with students, and "hands-on" experience as part of the learning process. Participants are expected to acquire the knowledge base and professional ethics, values, and skills to work effectively within individual, family, group, organizational, and community levels of practice. The program also prepares students for graduate study in social work and related fields.